David Cole believes that the GSA building, withits obsolete zoning and automobile dependence,should be replaced with a design that allows forleisurely strolls between work and home, andproduces energy and clean water from waste andrain. “Buildings like the existing site rely on single-use zoning, cheap energy, and a lifestyle centeredon commuting,” says the 30-year-old architect, whoworked on the competition with three colleaguesfrom KlingStubbins, in Raleigh, North Carolina.“They’re set up to consume huge amounts of energy.”As a remedy, Cole and his team proposed a multi-purpose commercial and residential complex thatwould eliminate the daily drive, generate energyfrom waste, and allow the same water to be usedup to three times. “It can’t be just about reducingconsumption,” says Cole, who estimates he dedi-cated over 200 hours to the competition. “Untilthese buildings become active producers of energy,we’ll never get to net zero.”The most spectacular feature in the proposalis its three asymmetrical towers, which are 15, 22,and 33 stories, respectively, and formed of 1,000-square-foot residential units stacked askew abovethe existing footprint like transparent Lego blocks.“It was a design decision,” explains Cole, who wason his way to medical school before an undergrad-uate elective in architecture changed his life andcareer path. “This configuration helps provide shadeand space for vegetation, through which we canintroduce outside air into the building. We’re notjust trying to make a pretty picture.”